In a recent social media advisory, the Needham Police Department warned residents about a series of new iPhone thefts that have been occurring right at the doorsteps of buyers. According to a Facebook post by the Needham Police Department, delivery trucks, particularly those from FedEx, are being followed by thieves who wait for the moment when expensive devices are left unattended. These thefts are not isolated incidents; they are part of a larger trend affecting many neighborhoods across the state.
The method of operation for these criminals is brazen yet simple. “Typically, FedEx trucks are trailed by suspects who wait for the new iPhones to be dropped off. Within 5 minutes after FedEx leaves, a suspect comes and grabs the phone from the porch or driveway before the homeowner has a chance to retrieve it,” the post explained. In some cases, suspects have gone so far as to disguise themselves convincingly as "Amazon drivers" to cleverly "swap" a package. Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant and to consider alternate delivery methods that might prevent such crimes, such as signature-required delivery or in-store pickups.
In response to the recent increase in thefts, the Needham Police Department are encouraging community involvement and awareness. “We are asking people to ask that their package REQUIRE a signature, attempt to have someone home to take in the package, or simply go to the store itself to get a phone,” the department suggests. Additional precautions like having packages delivered to local facilities, such as a Whole Foods where secured lockers are available, are also recommended.
